, Novato – Two auto theft suspects were arrested Tuesday after the stolen car’s license plate was detected in San Rafael by a scanning device on a deputy’s car, a sheriff’s investigator said.

Steven Anthony Fernando, 28, of Concord and Alexandra Yvette Allen, 23, of San Mateo were booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

Fernando was also booked on suspicion of drug possession, possession of burglary tools and driving with a suspended license.

The car, a Ford Ranger, was reported stolen in San Bruno on Monday. Early Tuesday morning, Deputy Robert Heilman was on patrol in the Merrydale Road area when the license-plate scanner on his patrol car detected the stolen vehicle passing him, said sheriff’s Lt. Jamie Scardina.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and arrested Fernando and Allen. Suspected stolen property was also confiscated from the car, Scardina said.

Fernando and Allen remained in custody Tuesday night in lieu of $25,000 bail.